Interesting how the rise of Big Data is sparking a White House level policy debate. Obviously the NSA revelations forced the President's hand. But clearly, privacy issues are now much higher on Obama's radar than they used to be.

Given that Podesta is recently of the Center for American progress a pretty left wing think tank and given the Obama's administration's propensity to go after opponents using the IRS and the DOJ I wonder just how even handed the review on data security is going to be.

The Obama administration has only become concerned about this issues since the Snowden revelations and, no doubt. polling shows concern for both NSA snooping and the associated analysis of Big Data.

Far better to have brought in an independent organization such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation or similar to provide assurances to the public that this is not just a placatory white wash to show citizens that they are doing something and really care.

Frankly, given the federal government's epic fail at healthcare dot gov, I don't have any confidence in its ability to protect privacy at any level for any reason. Obama will hem/haw and spout platitudes (as usual) but the reality will be quite the opposite and private individuals will be on the losing end as always.

@ WKash, it is interesting indeed and we welcome it in the spirit of "it's never too late". Though it is instigated as a result of painful revelations but then we need to have some stimulus to start doing something. What's important now is that we don't just put up a show and do something concrete when this review is complete.

@DDALTON211, your point is very pertinent. Such reviews must include all the stakeholders. But unfortunately this one includes everyone but the most important stakeholder, which is citizens. The problem with excluding one or more of stakeholders from such panels is that the results will not be acceptable for all which will question the very practice of review.

If thereís one asset the U.S. government has in abundance, itís data. But a fight for expertise is hindering both the public and private sectors when it comes to managing and mining information. Can Uncle Sam compete for talent?